Automotive vehicle door latch



Aug. 17, 1954 B. J. CRAIG AU'roMoTIvE VEHICLE DOOR LATCH Filed Sept. 18, 1950 IN V EN TOR.

Patented Aug. 17, 1954 UNITED s'rAres TENT oFFlcs AUTOMOTIVE VEHICLE DOOR LATCH Burnie J. Craig, Los Angeles, Calif.

Application September 18, 1950, Serial No. 185,413

(Cl. l- 285) 9 Claims. 1

This invention relates to an automotive vehicle door latch.

The general object of the invention is to provide an improved vehicle door latch including novel lock means for controlling release of the latch on a door of an automotive vehicle.

Another object of the invention isto provide door latching means including a novel lock means which is operable in a novel manner to unlock the latch.

Another object of the invention is to provide a novel door latch handle assembly.

Another object of the invention is to provide a novel combined key-controlled and dial actun ated. tumbler controlled lock assembly.

Another object of the invention is to provide a novel push button operated latch release member and latch lock.

Another object of the invention is to provide a novel push button latch release member including a novel keyless actuated locking member.

A further object of the invention is to provide a latch locking means wherein a push button actuated key lock member is provided and wherein a dial actuated tumbler member is mounted coaxial with the push button member.

A further object of the invention is to provide a vehicle door latch handle assembly which carries push button means for operating a door latch to release position and. wherein a plurality of means is carried by the handle for rendering the push button member inoperative to open the door.

Other objects and advantages of the invention will be apparent from the following description taken in connection withk the drawings, wherein:

Fig. l is a horizontal sectional view through the door of an automotive vehicle and pillar, with parts in plan and showing the improved automotive vehicle door latch;

Fig. 2 is a fragmentary central sectional view of the handle and latch operating parts;

Fig. 3 is a section taken on line 3-3, Fig. 2;

Fig. 4 is a section taken on line 4 4, Fig. 2;

Fig. 5 is a fragmentary section through a door showing the latch in elevation;

Fig. 6 is a view similar to Fig. 2, showing a modification, and

Fig. 7 is a section taken on line 'li, Fig. 6.

Referring to the drawing by reference characters, the invention is shown as embodied in a door latch A arranged upon a door B of a vehicle.

As shown, the latch includes a base plate l0,

having a pivoted bolt l l thereon. The bolt supports a strike engaging roller l2 upon its outer end. The latches in the present disclosures are of the type shown in applicantjs co-pending application Serial No. 103,431, iiled July '7, 194:9, notiT Patent No. 2,659,230, dated November 17, 1953.

The protruding roller i2 moves in a slot it in a strike lf3 arranged upon the vehicle pillar i5. The slot i3 is inclined (not shown) so that as each vehicle door closes its associated roller moves into the open end of the slot I3 and towards fully engaged position behind a position of the wall of the slot.

To hold the bolt in this engaged position and thereby hold thhe door closed, a catch member 29 (Fig. 5) is pivotally supported upon the base IG. The catch member 22 may be released by a latch releasing member l5 which is slidable on a carriage member l1. When moved in one direction a pin IB on the latch releasing member engages and rocks the catch member to free the bolt.

The carriage member 'l is pivoted as at it on the base it. One end oi the carriage member is raised as at 2t and a snap-over spring 2l is arranged between this raised portion and the base lil to hold the carriage member in either one of its two positions.

The carriage member il includes a projecting end 22 which is cylindrical to support a roller 23.

The releasing member and the carriage member are similar to the members described in my patent mentioned above, and a further description thereof seems unnecessary.

The releasing member i6 is operated by a releasing arm 25 which is in the nature of a heli crank and is shown as pivoted at 25 upon the base It. One arm of the bell crank engages in a slot 2l in the releasing member i6 while the other portion of the bell crank is engaged by a tongue 2lb on an actuating member 2S which is carried by an outside actuator indicated generally at 3Q. The outside actuator is similar to the handle assembly disclosed in applicants patent, mentioned above.

As shown, the outside actuator or handie assembly Sti includes a body 3l which has a handle grip member 32 thereon. The body 3l may be held in place by means of a slip plate i3 which engages the body 3l and the door.

The body 3l has a chamber 34 and at one end of the chamber has an enlarged bore 35. At the inner end the body is open and enlarged as at 36 to receive a closure 31 which is held in place against rotation by a tight rit and by a split The closure 3l engages the end or" co1n lar sil an internal flange lil thereon. The collar SS is free to rotate.

The body 3l has a bore which receives the tubular dial d2. The body l2 has a linger engaging head portion 43 and an integral external tumbler il which engages the end wall of the chamber The dial body includes a reduced portion 52a which rotates within the ange tal.

Concentric with the integral dial tumbler' di, I provide tumblers 45 and 45 which are iree to rotate about the dial body portion 42a. The tumblers have the usual tumbler pins el.

The tumblers are shown as spaced apart by integral collars 45 which are annular and in tegral with the tumblers. Tumbler locks ol' this type are common and well known and a further description believed unnecessary.

The ilange it (see Fig. 3) is pro-vided with a `cut-away part 5t and with ears 5i which support a shaft 53. The shaft 53 supports a carriage shifting or unlocking arm 5t which acts in the manner of a fence and is normally urged to the full line position in Fig. 2 by a spring 55. The arm has one end extending through an arcuate slot 5t in the closure 3l.

Rotation of dial head 53 will rotate integral tumbler i4 whereupon the pins 0n this tumbler will rotate the tumbler 45 and the pins of the tumbier e5 will rotate the tumbler @16.

Each tumbler is provided with a notch or gate Ell. The notches or gates Sil are adapted to receive the lower end of the arm or fence Sil. The construction is such that after the head. portion 43 ci the dial ias correctly rotated the tumblers, the arm or fence 5d will be aligned with the notches or gates 68, whereupon the spring 55 will move the lower part of the `arm or fence into the notches or gates ll.

The tubular dial body 43 slidably receives a lock barrel 6l which includes a push button il?. The push button end extends through a hole 63 in the dial head. The details of the tumbler look form no part of the present invention as such locks are common and in well known use. The construction is such that when a key Ell is inserted in the barrel 6l and is rotated, suitable pins (not shown) will be aligned, permitting the key to turn the push member relative to the lock barrel through substantially 90 degrees in either direction from a normal position.

The turning of the key rotates a head member S5 on the push member. The head member is connected to and rotates the actuating member 28 previously mentioned. The end of the inember 2B is arranged in a slot 28o, in the carriage member l?.

In order to prevent rotation of the lock barrel 6I the latter is shown as provided with rods 'il which pass through holes 'il in the fixed closure 3l.

The push button may be operated at any time to cause inward movement of the actuating member 23 to thereby rock the bell crank member 25 to cause the latter to move the release member i6. If the carriage member il is in unlocked condition, this will cause the release member to release the bolt. If the carriage member Il' is in locked position, the push button and arm 28 will move inwardly without eiect.

The key 613 may be inserted and the lock barrel may be rotated to turn the member 23 clock- Wise or oounterclockwise and to cause the inner end of the member 28 to rotate about the axis of the lock barrel to thus cause the carriage inember to be raised or lowered, in other words, to be unlocked or locked. The lock barrel being keyed by the rods 'li to the fixed partition 3l, rotation of the lock barrel is prevented.

From the description it will be apparent that a person with a key could rotate the lock barrel and operating member 2B to move the carriage member to unlocked position.

To perform the unlocking operation without rotating the lock barrel and without use of a key, the dial head i3 is rotated to correctly align the tumbler notches so that the arm 55 may be moved by the spring -55 into the notches or gates Sil. Thereupon when the dial is rotated the arm 5t 'will be rotated with the dial about the axis of the look barrel El, similar to the motion of the barrel when the latter is rotated by a key.

rlhe carriage shifting arm 54 has a free end 'i2 which lits in a slot 23a in the carriage mem- -ber il so that when the arm lili .swings it will swing the carriage member from locked to unlocked position.

To limit rotation of the collar 3G the body 3l is provided with a pin 'i3 which nts in an arcuate slot le in the collar 39. A spring l engaging the pin 'I3 normally urges the collar 39 to a central position.

In operation, after the tumbler notches bil have been aligned, the arm 5t will enter the notches 63. The operator may then turn the dial in either direction to thereby rotate the arm about axis of the lock barrel. The tension of the spring 55 is such that the arm will, as it turns, shift the carriage member l to one limit or" its position against the tension of the spring 2l. ter the carriage member il is so moved, further effort to turn the dial head 43 will cause the arms 55 to ride up the sloping side of the notches 50, whereupon the lower end of the arm Eil will be cammed out of the notches 6B and the combination will be unset. 'When the dial head is then released the spring 'l5 will ret-urn the parts to normal position,

In Figs. 6 and 7 a modification is shown. In the modication parts like those previously described are designated by single primed reference characters. In the modification the arm has no upper part and instead a vcarriage shifting or unlocking arm Si), shown as integral with the flange All', is provided. The arm 80 adapted to nt in the slot 23a in the carriage member il in the same manner in which the end l2 of the arm 54 nts in a similar slot in the carriage member.

rihe operation or" the modication is the same as that of the type first described.

From the foregoing description it will be apparent that the invention disclosed herein pro vides a handle assembly wherein the latch may be released by a push button member and that key operated means permits locking and unlock ing. Also that proylsion is made whereby a dial operated tumbler lock, herein shown for convenience of illustration as coaxial with the push button, permits the lock to be locked and unlocked independently of the key operated lock.

Having thus described my invention, I claim:

1. In a door latch assembly, a chambered body, a support rotatably carried by the body, a lock barrel non-rotatably supported on the body, a head member rotatably carried by the lock barrel and adapted to shift a catch release supporting carriage to and from a position wherein the catch release may be shifted to catch releasing position, key released means normally preventing relative rotation between the head member and the lock barrel, a series of notched tumblers rotatable in the body, a ydial for rotating said tumblers, mea-ns operable to clutch the dial and support together for rotation as a unit, said last mentioned means including a fence carried by the support for engaging in the notches of the tumblers when aligned therewith, and a shifting arm movable with the rotatable support, the shifting arm being adapted to shift said catch release supporting carriage to and from said position wherein the catch release may be shifted to catch releasing position.

2. In a door latch assembly, a body having a. chamber therein, gated tumblers rotatable in the chamber', a movable felice supported within the chamber and cooperating with the gated tumblers, a dial for rotating the tumblers whereby the tumblers may be positioned with respect to one another and to the fence to allow the fence to enter the gatings of the tumblers and to be moved with the dial and tumblers as a unit, a catch releasing member, a carriage for the catch releasing members, the carriage being shiftable to move the catch releasing member to and from a position wherein the catch releasing member may be shifted to catch releasing position, and an unlocking arm movable with the fence and adapted to move the carriage to the position wherein the catch releasing member may be shifted to catch releasing position.

3. A vehicle door latch including a body having a chamber therein, a catch releasing member, a carriage supporting the catch releasing member, the carriage being shiftable to move the catch releasing member to and from a position wherein the catch releasing member may be shifted to catch releasing position, a series of tumblers formed with gatings and rotatable in the chamber, a dial for rotating said tumblers, a movable fence operative when the tumbler gatings are properly disposed to clutch the dial to the carriage whereby movement of the dial will move the carriage and shift the catch releasing member to the position wherein the catch releasing member may be shifted to catch releasing position.

4. In a vehicle door latch, a chambered body, a support rotatable within the body, a lock barrel non-rotatably supported on the body, a catch releasing member, a movable carriage supporting the catch releasing member for movement to and from catch releasing position, a head member rotatably carried by the lock barrel and operable to move the carriage and catch releasing member to a position wherein the catch releasing member may be shifted to catch releasing position, key released means normally preventing relative rotation between the head member and the lock barrel, a series of notched tumblers rotatable in the body, a dial for rotating said tumblers to align the notches, means operable to clutch the dial and support together for rotation as a unit, said means including a fence carried by the support for engaging in the notches of the tumblers when aligned therewith, and a carriage shifting arm movable with the rotatable support and operable to shift the carriage to the position wherein the catch releasing member may be shifted to catch releasing position when the dial and support are so clutched together and the dial is turned.

5. A vehicle door latch including a body having a chamber therein, a catch releasing mem- 6 ber, a carriage movably supporting the catch releasing member for movement to and from a catch releasing position, the carriage being shiftable to move the catch releasing member to and from a position wherein the catch releasing member may be shifted to catch releasing position, notched tumblers rotatable in said chamber, a dial for shifting the tumblers, movable clutch means including a fence operative when the tumbler notches are aligned with the fence to clutch the dial to the carriage whereby movement of the dial will move the carriage and shift the catch releasing member to the position wherein the catch releasing member may be shifted to catch releasing position, said dial including a portion for engagement with the iingers of an operator to permit rotation of said tumblers for aligning the notches and for rotating said tumblers for shifting the carriage when the dial and carriage are clutched together, a push button slidable Within said chamber, and a latch actauting member carried by said push button, the latch actuating member being operable to actuate the catch releasing member to the catch releasing position.

6. A vehicle door lock including a body having a chamber therein and having a bore communicating with the chamber, a catch releasing member, a movable carriage movably supporting the catch releasing member for movement to and from a catch releasing position, the carriage being shiftable to move the catch releasing member to and from a position wherein the catch releasing member may be shifted to catch releasing position, a dial member rotatable in said bore and having peripherally notched tumblers thereon, a rotatable member within said body, an arm pivoted on said rotatable member, the tumbler notches receiving said arm when the notches are aligned therewith for clutching the dial member to the rotatable member for rotation as a unit, means normally urging the arm into the tumbler notches, an unlocking arm rotatable with said rotatable member and adapted to shift the movable carriage and move the catch releasing member to the position wherein the catch releasing member may be shifted to catch releasing position, said dial member including a portion for engagement with the ngers of an operator to permit rotation of said tumblers for aligning the notches and for rotating said tumblers and said rotatable member as a unit when the tumbler notches are aligned with the fence, a push button slidable Within said dial member, and a latch actuating member carried by said push button, the latch actuating member being operable to actuate the catch releasing member to the catch releasing position.

7. In a door latch assembly, a body having a chamber therein, gated tumblers rotatable in the chamber, a movable fence supported within the chamber cooperating with the gated tumblers, a dial for rotating the tumblers whereby the tumblers may be correctly position with respect to one another and to the fence to allow the fence to enter the gatings of the tumblers and to be moved with the dial and tumblers as a unit, a catch releasing member, a movable carriage supporting the catch releasing member, the carriage being shiftable to move the catch releasing member to and from a position wherein the catch releasing member may be shifted to catch releasing position, an unlocking arm movable with said unit to move the carriage to the position wherein the catch releasing member may be shifted to catch releasing position, a push button, and a latch actuating member actuated by the push button and operable to move the catch releasing member` to the catch releasing position.

8. In a door latch assembly, a ohambered body, a support rotatably carried by the body, a lock barrel non-rotatably supported on the body, a catch release member, means movably mounting the catch release member for movement to and from a position in which the catch release member may be shifted to catch releasing position, a head member rotatably carried by the lock barrel and adapted to shift the catch release member to and from said position in which it may be shifted to catch releasing position, key release means normally preventing relative rotation between the head member and the lock barrel, a series of notched tumblers rotatable in the body, a dial for rotating said tumblers, means operable to clutch the dial and support together for rotation as a unit, said last mentioned means including a fence carried by the support for engaging in the notches ci the tumblers when aligned therewith, and a shifting arm movable with the rotatable support, the shifting arm being adapted to shift said catch release member to and from said position Wherein the catch release member may be shifted to catch releasing position.

9. In a door latch assembly, a chambered body, a support rotatably carried by the body, a lock barrel non-rotatably supported on the body, a catch release member, means movably supporting the catch release member for movement to and from a position wherein the catch release member may be shifted to catch releasing position, a head member rotatably carried by the lock barrel and adapted to shift the catch release member to and from said position in which it may be shifted to catch releasing position, key release means normally preventing relative rotation between the head member and the lock barrel, a series of notched tumblers rotatable in the body, a dial for rotating said tumblers, means operable to clutch the dial and support together for rotation as a unit, said last mentioned means including a fence carried by the support for eri,- gaging in the notches of the tumblers when aligned therewith, and a shifting arm movable with the rotatable support, the shifting arm being adapted to shift said catch release member to and from said position wherein the catch may be shifted to catch releasing position, a latch actuating member operable to move the catch releasing member to catch releasing position and means operable to move the latch actuating member to cause the catch releasing member to move to catch releasing position.

References Cited in the le of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 800,868 Hill June 24, 1884 1,297,616 Wegner Mar. 18, 1919 1,665,990 Soley Apr, 10, 1928 1,670,042 Mott May l5, 1928 2,117,420 Harden May 17, 1938 2,129,228 Miller Sept. 6, 1938 FOREIGN PATENTS Number Country Date 141,679 Great Britain July 6, 1921 

